Comfort techniques and partner support are also a big part of our Prepared Childbirth Class. While childbirth is certainly a transitional time for the mother, it is also a transitional time for the partner. When the partner is able to support and participate in the experience, many couples feel childbirth brings them closer and helps their relationship evolve into parenthood. It is normal for partners and support people to feel anxious when approaching childbirth, wondering “if they will be able to help in the way they are supposed to”. We give you the tools and practices to feel prepared and confident during childbirth.
Some of the benefits of a Childbirth Class are:
*Understand the changes that occur in a woman's body throughout pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.
*Become educated on the procedures and know what to expect in childbirth.
*Learn about the different interventions used and your options within them.
*Learn how to support and comfort laboring mothers.
*Learn different pain management and comfort techniques including breathing, massage, visualization and positioning.
*Address fears and get answers to your questions.
*Create a birth plan using the information you have learned.
*Learn the basics of breastfeeding and postpartum care.
There are many benefits to attending a Childbirth Class. The time spent in class will not only educate mothers and their support person, it will also bring them closer, helping them create a plan and become more connected and confident in their decisions while understanding each other’s roles. This valuable class covers a great deal of information and helps parents connect with other parents to be, creating lasting friendships.
Prepared Childbirth is a 5 week series.
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This class is taught by
LCCE,CD (DONA), owner and founder of Belly Bliss.
Natural Childbirth Education Series
Natural Childbirth:
Natural childbirth is the act of giving birth without the use of any pain medication or medical interventions. Many women chose natural childbirth because they feel it offers the safest birth for both mother and baby.
Julie Olson's Natural Childbirth Course is a full scope class for couples . The foundation of the course rests in partner-supported childbirth and informed decision-making while emphasizing the natural process of giving birth. The 11 week series covers a variety of topics, including birth preparation, nutrition and exercise in pregnancy, handling unexpected situations, breastfeeding, and the post-partum experience. This comprehensive course is flexible and tailored to the needs of the particular couples in the class. Mothers and their partners learn how to work together to create a harmonious team. Students learn positive communications, skills for making informed decisions, methods to minimize discomfort, and relaxation techniques. Partners learn to identify and respond to the mother’s needs, tools to help maintain a relaxing environment and they are empowered to respond to any variation in labor. Julie's course incorporates the latest research, modern videos and a sense of humor in her classes, to make the experience fun and memorable. The course fee of $350 includes materials and a follow-up gathering for the class to show-off their babies and tell their birth stories.
Please Click Here to See Dates or to Make a Reservation
Julie Olson, Childbirth Educator & CD(DONA)
Julie was an AAHCC certified childbirth instructor from 2005-2001 and taught the Bradley Method® to over 100 couples. She is now an independent instructor and has designed a curriculum and materials that meet the needs of modern parents. Julie enjoys helping couples achieve a healthy pregnancy and a gentle, fulfilling birth experience. Julie has been teaching childbirth classes since 2005 She is also a DONA Certified Birth Doula. She has two children that were born without medications or interventions in a hospital with a midwife and a doctor.
Birthing From Within Childbirth
Education Series
Birthing from Within classes are “gourmet” childbirth preparation classes based off of the landmark book by the same name. They balance practical, useful information with introspective processes and discussions to help you discover what you need to know to give birth.
Highlights of What Classes Cover:
- Creating a supportive environment in the hospital or home.
- Practicing proven pain-coping techniques.
- Exploring your feelings, fears and hopes for birth.
- Labor positions and comfort measures.
- What labor might look and feel like.
- Asking questions and making informed decisions.
- Celebrating your journey as parents.
Every couple will get something different out of their Birthing From Within classes. You may not know exactly what it is that you’re seeking and that’s okay - in fact, that’s what makes Birthing From Within classes remarkably different. There is fluidity based on the needs of each individual and class, coupled with practical information and pain-coping techniques. I support YOU and your journey and am not tied to any specific outcome. There is no wrong or right way to birth, only the way yours unfolds.
After Birthing From Within Classes:
- Moms walk away with more confidence that they can handle whatever their birth may bring. They are more hopeful and strong.
- Dads or partners come away with a clear understanding of what labor looks like and lots of ideas of what they can do to help the birthing mother and how to interact with hospital staff. They seem less worried and much more sure of themselves.
- Couples deepen their connection, forming a strong team that will work really well in labor. They have lots of fun, too, and no-one wants to leave at the end!
- Most couples walk away with wonderful new friends.
Click here to read more about Birthing From Within®
Brandy Ferner
Brandy found Birthing From Within classes when she was eight months pregnant with her son (who is now 4). She had no idea how much the classes would transform her birth and her life. The pain-coping tools alone helped her feel like she could handle whatever came her way. She found the classes invaluable and relied on what she learned from the first contraction to the last push and beyond. Becoming a Birthing From Within mentor herself was only a matter or time! Supporting new parents during their transition into parenthood in a non-judgmental, loving, supportive and fun way is her calling. Brandy is also a CMT, specializing in pregnancy and deep tissue massage as well as reflexology.
Jennifer Zorich
Jennifer has worked with women and families for the last seven years, providing support as a doula, childbirth educator, and breastfeeding counselor. Inspired to help other women after the 2004 birth of her son, she sought certification as a doula. In 2005, she began volunteering at the DC Developing Families Center in Washington, DC. Working with Certified Nurse Midwives at Washington Hospital, she provided women and families labor and breastfeeding support. During this time, she also began her own practice, attending births in Maryland, Virginia and DC, in hospitals, homes
and birth centers. Jennifer feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to support women in a variety of settings and with many different care providers, from obstetricians to traditional midwives. In 2008 Jennifer moved to Colorado and resumed her work in women’s health care. In 2010 she began mentoring couples and is excited to share Birthing From Within with other families! Jennifer is a certified doula, licensed massage therapist and certified lactation counselor.
Hypnobabies™
Hypnobabies is a very successful 6 week complete childbirth education course using Gerald Kein’s Painless Childbirth techniques instead of simple relaxation, breathing or guided imagery. This allows our Hypno-Moms to enjoy “Eyes Open Childbirth Hypnosis”, easily remaining deeply in hypnosis while walking, talking changing positions; being as mobile as they would like to be during childbirth. Many of our moms experience much shorter, easier and more comfortable labors, making childbirth the joyful experience it was meant to be.
You’ll use your Hypnobabies Workbook, CDs and hypnosis scripts to train your inner mind that contractions in labor will be felt only as pressure, tightening, pushing, pulling and normal baby movement sensations. You’ll be fully in tune with your baby during the birthing process, and as aware as you’d like to be, easily able to communicate and be in charge of your own birth experience.
Hypnobabies uses the same kind of hypnosis techniques that people employ when preparing for surgery without any medication, which is called hypno-anesthesia. Our classes also teach our Hypnobabies Birth Partners how to fully support our Hypno-Moms, although Hypnobabies can also be used very successfully by single mothers
Including a very comprehensive childbirth education curriculum also ensures that our Hypno-moms remain deeply committed to their Hypnobabies training, since they need not go anywhere else for childbirth education. Other natural childbirth classes are wonderful but many teach “pain-coping” and “pain-management”, which is directly in opposition to Hypnobabies” “pain-elimination” techniques.
Although not every woman will have a completely pain-free unmedicated birthing experience, many of our Hypno-Moms do and you can too!
http://www.hypnobabies.com/
Mandy Jeffries, MSW, HCHI, LD, LE
Mandy Jeffries lives Denver, CO with her one year old son, her husband and their two dogs and three cats. She love animals and the sunshine, and hopes to call herself a full-fledged urban gardener someday. She became passionate about pregnancy, birth and natural parenting as she prepared for the Hypnobabies home birth of her son.
Mandy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Women’s Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver. She is a certified Hypnobabies® childbirth hypnosis instructor and hypno-doula, and is currently certifying as a CAPPA labor doula and lactation educator. She is so excited to be on her journey as a birth professional, as she truly feels that she has found her calling. She is so happy you are considering allowing her to join you on your beautiful journey into pregnancy and motherhood. Thank you!
Childbirth Education Refresher
This course is suggested for parents who have taken a childbirth course in the past and are looking for a refresher to prepare for their next birth. The course emphasizes the role of the birth partner or coach, reviews the stages of labor, focuses on relaxation techniques and positions to cope with labor and briefly discusses postpartum topics related to parenting more than one child. Participants will be provided with a questionnaire that should complete before the first class.
Blissful Breastfeeding
Top 10 Myths About Breastfeeding
1. To prepare and toughen nipples for breastfeeding rub them with a towel during the last trimester of pregnancy.
2. Hospital birth practices do not affect the duration of breastfeeding.
3. Breastfeeding with sore, cracked nipples is normal during the first few weeks after birth.
4. While breastfeeding, do not use bottles as they cause nipple confusion.
5. Do not pump until at least three to four weeks after birth.
6. During engorgement do not pump as it will just produce more milk.
7. Borrowing a friend's breast pump is encouraged as it saves money and does not pose any health risks.
8. Rotating breastfeeding positions will prevent sore nipples.
9. In some states it is illegal to breastfeed in public.
10.Exercising while breastfeeding may spoil the breast milk.
From Cathy Heise, Lactation Consultant and Teacher of Blissful Breastfeeding at Belly Bliss. To find out the truths about these and other myths come to our:
Blissful Breastfeeding Class
This class is essential for all pregnant moms who are considering breastfeeding. Spend a couple of hours with Cathy, our Lactation Consultant and Nurse to discuss breastfeeding benefits and techniques.
Blissful Breastfeeding Private Class
Can't attend one of our scheduled Blissful Breastfeeding Workshops or want a private lesson? We will be happy to set up a private class for you here at Belly Bliss with our Lactation ConsultantCathy Heise.
$65 for a private 1 hour class. Please call us at 303.399.1191 to set up your private class.
Newborn Care 101
Common Newborn Questions:
How often do I need to bathe my newborn, and what kind of soap and shampoo should I use?
Before they begin eating solids (when food will find its way into every bodily crevice) and crawling (when hands and knees will be perpetually grimy), babies don't have many opportunities to get dirty. So unless the baby is especially fond of her bath or soothed by it, every other day is plenty for now, with spot washing in between. More than that can dry the skin. Shampooing is rarely needed more than once or twice a week (unless your baby's sweating a lot in hot weather or has a full head of hair). Soap is usually only necessary on the dirtiest areas, such as the hands and bottom. To reduce potential dryness or irritation, use a gentle product designed for babies that contain no colors or fragrances.
Will I spoil my baby by picking him up every time he cries?
A good cry is a baby's way of saying he's hungry, bored, lonely, overtired, in pain, or simply in need of a cuddle. When you respond to his cries, the baby learns not only that he's loved and valued but also that communication works. This is an early and important lesson in socialization. New parents should not worry that they might be overindulging him; most babies under six months don't possess the cognitive sophistication necessary to be manipulative: so it's virtually impossible to spoil them. In fact, many experts believe that infants who are picked up when they cry actually cry less and demand less attention later on. As a bonus, they're more likely to grow up self-reliant, and trusting. This doesn't mean you should drop everything when the baby cries. If it takes you a few minutes to finish what you're doing, that's fine as long as he can't get himself into any trouble in the meantime. Play some soothing music or put a favorite toy within his line of sight and get to him as soon as you're done. If it's practical (you're working in the same room, you're not on the phone), talk to him so he knows you're there.
When I take my baby out, strangers inevitably comment to me that he's not dressed warmly enough. But I'm afraid of overheating him. Who's right?
Infants under six months generally require about one layer more than you do to stay comfortably warm. Older babies typically need to wear only as much as an adult does when they leave the house. Hats are a good idea in even slightly cool weather, since 25 percent of body heat is lost through the head. The best gauge of whether a baby is too cold is not his hands - which may be cool even when he's warm - but the nape of his neck. If it's warm to the touch, he's dressed just right. It is wise not to layer on too many clothes. More babies are overdressed for the outdoors, which can lead to overheating, than are under dressed.
From Sharon Rowland, Postpartum Nurse, owner of Smooth Transitions and teacher of Infant Care 101 at Belly Bliss.
What to know more? Join us for Infant Care 101
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